World Health Organization Issues Concern Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Medications
Fewer than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and continuous treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.